Customer Reviews

The Jinx

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Jinx is an entertaining, fast-paced thriller that holds its own against, and possibly exceeds, the best work of Grisham, Baldacci and Turow. Ben Kravner is far and away the most likeable but unlikely legal hero ever--he's a combustible combination of intellectual, dreamer, lovesick pup and goofball. (I'd marry him in a second!) Hopefully, we'll see more of him in Kahn's next novel! In The Jinx, when Ben unwittingly stumbles upon a clue suggesting a 160-year conspiracy against the presidency, he must come to grips with a conflict between his desire to win "the game" by making partner in his law firm and his fading dream of changing the world for the better. While Ben is chasing conspiracy theories, Kahn weaves in two other frighteningly believable story lines. Christy Kirk, a young reporter, investigates the militarization of white supremacy groups and the African-American resistance. LaRosa Smith, a beautiful African-American woman, is the top advisor to the Vice President, who is also running for President in the 2000 election. All three story lines blend together seamlessly as the plot reaches a stunning climax. Curses, Larry Kahn, for keeping me awake at night!

Not even five years out of Harvard Law, Benjamin Franklin Kravner works at an eminent New York firm, working in the Trusts and Estates Department. When his mentor Fritz Fox suffers a heart attack, he is placed in charge of the non-money making cases.

Ben takes over the estate of the recently deceased renowned Adams Thompson. Among the papers, Ben finds an envelope addressed to Fritz as the trustee. Questionably opening the envelope, Ben finds an interesting poem inside it. The words imply that a group calling itself the Royal Order of the Millennium Knight has caused the deaths of presidents since 1840. Apparently, the descendants have enacted vengeance ever since Harrison killed one of their own. Ben soon learns that a special scenario using a race war is planned for the current election that will bring this group to power. Ben ponders the probability that seven presidents serving on the even number ending in zero in a row die in office. Of the remaining presidents, only one dies in office, but that one is a rather healthy charismatic Taylor who might have had the strength to stop the Civil War.

Is THE JINX a far-fetched tale for X-Files buffs or has Larry Kahn proved these deaths are not just a cosmic coincidence? Mr. Kahn provides an entertaining, often winking tale that makes the conspiracy seem plausible because his main hero is bumbling and human while his villains contain self-effacing humor. Is the story line a stretch? Absolutely, but it is fun to wander down that road as Mr. Kahn writes an exciting political thriller.

This book kept me up into the weee hours of the night and prevented me from doing homework. I am a high school Junior and I currently am studying American History. I have been intrigued with our 20-year Jinx since I learned about it in the Fall. Larry Kahn takes that part of our history and creates a thrilling novel. Along with the History lesson, Kahn addresses current issues regarding white supremacy groups and African-Amrerican resistance groups. All along, he incorpurates the ever-present Internet Chat Rooms. I found the characters very likable and realistic. I connected with them. In this book, Kahn presents a very frightning believable story. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good action-packed, turn-paging, nail-biting novel.

When Ben Kavner unwittingly stumbles upon a clue suggesting a 160-year conspiracy against the presidency, he must come to grips with a conflict between his wanting to win "the game" by becoming a partner in his law firm and his dream to make the world a better place. While Ben is chasing conspiracy theories, the author weaves in two other frightening story lines. Christy Kirk, a young reporter, investigates the militarization of white supremacy groups and the African American resistance. LaRosa Smith, a beautiful African American woman, is the top advisor to the vice-president, who is running for president in the 2000 election. All three stories blend together as the plot reaches a stunning climax.

Ben Kavner is the most likable but unlikely hero ever. He is a combination of intellectual, dreamer, lovesick-pup, and an oddball all rolled into one. You just can't help but love the guy. The other characters were somewhat realistic--likable. Sometimes I felt that the situations were a little far-fetched but the plot was exciting.

Pam @ MyShelf.Com

I read all the time and rarely have I been as impressed as I was with Mr. Kahn's first novel. The action and the theme kept me reading non-stop. Excellent writer, excellent book!

When I can make the time to read, I read purely for escapism/entertainment purposes. It is the rare book that entertains as well as enlightens and this is certainly one of them. The plot gets its premise from events occurring 160 years ago, but the story's strength is using what many might see as an implausible leap to address issues and attitudes (and the technology that makes those "attitudes" available to anyone with a phone line and a computer) that unfortunately are more prevalent than ever in today's society. I really enjoyed this book!

The Jinx was assigned reading for our class at Georgia State University, and the author, Larry Kahn, was kind enough to visit as a guest lecturer. I recognized the comments of another member of the class who is hiding behind an Ohio address and find it necessary to respond. The Jinx is not Faulkner, but it's an interesting read with good characters and a plot the equal of most other legal thrillers. I disagree with my classmate's opinion that the book is degrading to women and in fact thought that the female characters were unusually strong--a tough reporter, the vice president's chief of staff (also an African-American), and a paralegal who takes matters into her own hands. Some of the characters are better developed than others, but overall I thought this was a very good book, especially for a first novel. I think my classmate has it in for Mr. Kahn for some reason, and I apologize to him for her comments. They are not representative of the rest of the class. I hope he writes another one!

Larry Kahn has created a riveting plot of political conspiracy in the legal thriller, THE JINX. Ben Kravner is a truly likeable hero, a guy you really want to know. I love him.

Ben becomes entangled in an unbelievable conspiracy theory when he opens a sealed envelope and discovers a clue hinting at a 160 year old conspiracy against the presidency. Once the conspirators know he is onto their secret, Ben becomes their prime target. The intriguing sub-plots will keep you glued to your seat as Ben races to warn the White House of impending doom in the form of a civil war.

The speeches Kahn's politicians deliver are moving, and will make you think about what shapes the racial discourse in our society. Everyone can identify with hero Ben, and his inner turmoil - advancing his career and doing the right thing.

It is a cleverly written book that will keep you up well past your bedtime. A definite on the must read list!

Right up there with the "number 1" mystery/thriller writers (even the other lawyer/authors). Believable plot (enough researched facts to make it plausible) and multi-faceted characters. The story pulls the reader in and doesn't let go until the end - a real "can't put it down" read.

I FOUND LARRY KAHN BOOK THE JINX TO BE AN EXCELLENT READ. THE ONLY COMPLAINT WAS IT KEEP ME UP WAY PAST MY BEDTIME. REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS NEXT BOOK. THANK YOU LARRY KAHN FOR THIS GREAT BOOK. GET STARTED ON YOUR NEXT ONE.